Add-ie model of teacher training program on physical activity integration for gifted children: a multiphase mixed-methods study

This randomized-controlled trial demonstrates that an exercise consultation, based on the transtheoretic model of exercise behavior change, significantly improves short-term adherence to exercise.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the applications conducted in the science center within the scope of the science lesson “Solar System and Beyond” unit of the 7th-grade students in the secondary school, on the perceptions of the students about the out-of-school learning environments (OSLEs). In the quantitative part of the research, in which nested design, one of the mixed research designs, was used, the study group consisted of 42 students. Also, in the quantitative part of the study, a quasi-experimental design with the pre-test-post-test control group, which is one of the experimental research methods, was used. The Science course was conducted in the classroom with the students in the control group as the program predicted. In addition to the science lessons conducted in the classroom with the experimental group students, activities within the scope of the unit were carried out in the science center and the planetarium. Quantitative data were collected with the “Out-of-School Learning Environments Perception Scale (OSLEPS)”. The follow-up test was applied to the experimental group of students three months later. In the qualitative part of the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight students from the experimental and control groups. When the results obtained from the qualitative data are evaluated together with the quantitative data, it is seen that the practices in the science center and the perceptions of the experimental group students towards out-of-school learning environments differ positively compared to the control group students.

: Nursing students face both clinical and academic stress. Extensive theoretical and research literature suggests that peer support and regular exercise are critically important and can efficiently manage stress for nursing students. : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a school-based health promotion program in a group physical activity intervention and peer support program for stressed nursing students. : This study used a quasi-experimental design to collect information and collected data from a stress questionnaire, semistructured questionnaire, and group discussion. Participants included 77 nursing students at an institute of technology in northern Taiwan. Participants were randomly assigned into experimental (n = 37) and control (n = 40) groups. Program duration was 16 weeks. Participants were selected based on their assessment results as having moderate or severe levels of stress. All participants in the experimental group took part in a group physical activity for 30 minutes three times a week. Eight weeks later, the researcher invited each group to discuss their feelings and stress coping strategies. Both groups completed pretest and posttest stress questionnaires. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 14.0 Statistical Package for Windows, and qualitative data from each group discussion were analyzed using content analysis. : Results revealed that level of stress was statistically decreased in the experimental group. Posttest stress levels were significantly different in experimental and control groups. The results suggested that students who participated in the intervention had less stress than did those in the control group after the intervention. Those in the experimental group held positive views of peer support and physical activity. : The results of this study confirmed the efficacy of school-based health promotion programs in reducing stress in nursing students. Findings may provide educators with information to assist their developing effective health promotion programs to manage stress for their students. This study can also help students develop personal coping strategies through physical activity and peer support.

The research aims to find out the effect of project-based science education programme conducted with an active learning on scientific process skills and conceptions of 6-year-old children about nature of science. Quasi-experimental research design including experimental and control groups with pre-test and post-test was implemented. Mixed-method research including qualitative and quantitative data collection tools was adopted. The quantitative data were collected with Preschool Scientific Process Skills Scale while qualitative data were gathered with interviews to define scientific process skills of children. The research includes 26 children in total, 17 were in the experimental group and 9 were in the control group. Project Based Science Education Conducted with Active Learning was carried out on the experimental group and Project Based Science Education was carried out on the control group. The research lasted for 32 weeks between October, 2015 and June, 2016. Scores of scientific process skills about nature of science belonging to students in the experimental group were found to be higher than ones in the control group and the students in the experimental group were found to be more familiar with the related conceptions. The findings prove the positive effect of project-based science education. Keywords: active learning, nature of science, project based science education, preschool education, scientific process skills.

This study investigates the effectiveness of a stress management technique using Islamic spiritual practices, known as dzikir, to reduce burnout among high school teachers in the context of an increasing administrative workload under the implementation of the new curriculum. Teachers frequently face high stress levels due to administrative demands, leading to emotional exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction, and lower teaching quality. This research aims to assess the impact of dzikir on alleviating stress and improving emotional and spiritual well-being among teachers. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group involving 60 high school teachers divided into experimental and control groups. Quantitative data were collected through standardized burnout inventories, and qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews. Results indicated that the experimental group, which practiced dzikir, experienced a significant reduction in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, as well as improved personal accomplishment and job satisfaction compared to the control group. This study concludes that integrating spiritual-based stress management practices is highly effective in addressing burnout among educators, contributing to healthier teaching environments. By emphasizing culturally and spiritually relevant approaches, this research offers a practical solution for enhancing teacher well-being and supports the broader goals of improving educational quality in modern learning systems. These findings underline the importance of incorporating holistic, culturally sensitive interventions into education policy and teacher training programs.

This study investigates the effectiveness of a stress management technique using Islamic spiritual practices, known as dzikir, to reduce burnout among high school teachers in the context of an increasing administrative workload under the implementation of the new curriculum. Teachers frequently face high stress levels due to administrative demands, leading to emotional exhaustion, reduced job satisfaction, and lower teaching quality. This research aims to assess the impact of dzikir on alleviating stress and improving emotional and spiritual well-being among teachers. The study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group involving 60 high school teachers divided into experimental and control groups. Quantitative data were collected through standardized burnout inventories, and qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews. Results indicated that the experimental group, which practiced dzikir, experienced a significant reduction in emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, as well as improved personal accomplishment and job satisfaction compared to the control group. This study concludes that integrating spiritual-based stress management practices is highly effective in addressing burnout among educators, contributing to healthier teaching environments. By emphasizing culturally and spiritually relevant approaches, this research offers a practical solution for enhancing teacher well-being and supports the broader goals of improving educational quality in modern learning systems. These findings underline the importance of incorporating holistic, culturally sensitive interventions into education policy and teacher training programs.

BackgroundPhysical activity can confer diverse benefits on cancer survivors. Unfortunately, many cancer survivors are not sufficiently active. The efficacy of physical activity interventions for this population may be increased by grounding them in Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Combining game design elements with wearable technologies may be a useful and scalable approach to targeting SDT constructs to promote cancer survivors’ physical activity.ObjectiveThe primary aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of Steps2Health, a physical activity intervention for cancer survivors. It also aims to investigate the effects of the intervention on motivation, physical activity, and step count.MethodsWe randomized 78 insufficiently active cancer survivors to an experimental or comparison group. All participants received a physical activity tracker. The experimental group participants also received a set sequence of multimedia messaging service messages that were triggered in real time by meeting predetermined cumulative step count totals. Messages presented information about a virtual journey and included photographs and vivid descriptions of locations to increase autonomous motivation. Additional messages targeted perceptions of relatedness (eg, role modeling) and competence (eg, facilitating mastery experiences). We administered pre- and postintervention surveys and conducted 15 individual interviews to evaluate the intervention. We performed directed content analysis of qualitative data and conducted mixed effects linear modeling to investigate participants’ changes in motivation, self-reported physical activity, and device-measured step counts.ResultsThere was minimal loss to follow-up (3/78, 4%), the device wear rate was high (2548/3044, 83.71% of days), and technical problems with messaging based on real-time step counts were limited. Our qualitative data analysis revealed 3 overarching themes: accessibility, autonomous motivation, and relatedness. Participants successfully navigated the technological aspects and game design elements of the intervention. Participants found messages targeting autonomous motivation and competence or self-efficacy to be enjoyable and compelling, but one feasibility criterion for participant engagement (response rate to text messages) was not met. Messages targeting relatedness were less highly rated than the messages targeting autonomous motivation and competence or self-efficacy. During the intervention, both groups increased their motivation for physical activity (B=0.16; 95% CI 0.01 to 0.30; P=.04; d=0.49), and assignment to the experimental group was associated with increased self-reported leisure activity score (B=10.78; 95% CI 3.54 to 18.02; P=.005; d=0.64). The experimental group had greater increases in daily step counts over time (B=322.08; 95% CI 54.01 to 590.15; P=.02; d=0.28).ConclusionsThis study supports the feasibility of using real-time game design elements to target SDT constructs and increase cancer survivors’ physical activity. Overall, our findings support the acceptability of the Steps2Health intervention, but fostering active participant engagement and targeting relatedness may present additional challenges. Steps2Health may help cancer survivors increase their physical activity levels.

Bu araştırmada, Sosyal Bilgiler öğretiminde Proje Tabanlı Öğrenme (PTÖ) Yaklaşımının ortaokul öğrencilerinin girişimcilik becerilerine etkisinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç doğrultusunda hem nitel hem de nicel veri toplama tekniklerinin birlikte kullanıldığı karma yöntem desenlerinden sıralı açıklayıcı karma desen kullanılmıştır. Nicel veri toplama aracı olarak, Eroğlu, Deveci ve Gürdoğan Bayır (2020) tarafından hazırlanan “Ortaokul Öğrencilerine Yönelik Girişimcilik Ölçeği” ve araştırmacı tarafından hazırlanan Kişisel Bilgi Formu kullanılmıştır. Nitel veriler ise yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak elde edilmiş ve içerik analizi ile yorumlanmıştır. Araştırmada çalışma grubu seçkisiz olmayan örnekleme yöntemlerinden uygun örnekleme yöntemi kullanılarak belirlenmiştir. Bu kapsamada Erzincan il merkezinde bir ortaokulda 5. sınıfta öğrenim görmekte olan iki sınıftan biri deney grubu (N14), diğeri ise kontrol grubu (N14) olarak seçilmiştir. Uygulama sürecinde dersler deney grubunda Proje Tabanlı Öğrenme Yaklaşımı çerçevesinde hazırlanan “Erzincan KOSGEB ile Bilgileniyorum”, “Erzincan OSB’yi Keşfediyorum”, “Üretiyorum-Satıyorum” ve “Kadın Girişimcilerle Buluşuyorum” başlıkları altında 4 ayrı proje kapsamında işlenirken, kontrol grubunda ise müfredata uygun bir şekilde işlenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda, deney ve kontrol grubu öntest ve sontest puanları karşılaştırıldığında, deney grubu öğrencilerinin girişimcilik becerilerinin kontrol grubu öğrencilerine göre istatiksel olarak anlamlı bir şekilde farklılaştığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Araştırmanın nitel boyutuna yönelik sonuçlara göre; Proje Tabanlı Öğrenme Yaklaşımının yaratıcılık, yenilikçilik, risk alma-cesaretli olma ve başarılı girişimciler ile meslekleri tanımada etkili bir yöntem olduğu gözlemlenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, Sosyal Bilgiler öğretiminde Proje Tabanlı Öğrenme Yaklaşımının, ortaokul öğrencilerine girişimcilik becerilerini kazandırmada etkili bir yaklaşım olduğu söylenebilir.

Purpose – This study examines the effect using GeoGebra dynamic geometry software on students’ ability to confront geometry problem solving, their achievement in spatial visualization skills, and their usage of cognitive skills in applying, analyzing, evaluating, creating and constructing ideas for geometry problem solving on the topic of Shape and Space towards supporting 21st century learning of Mathematics Education. Methodology – Quantitative and qualitative data were collected for this study. A total of 102 Form Two students participated in the study, which had employed the pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental research design. The research participants were divided into three groups, namely Experimental Group 1 (n=33), Experimental Group 2 (n=35) and Control Group (n=34). A guideline book on using GeoGebra dynamic geometry software in learning of Shape and Space, developed by the researchers and validated by a panel of experts, was used by the teachers and students in the experimental groups. The quantitative data, obtained via the Topical Test (TT) and Spatial Visualization Ability Test (SVAT), were analysed using MANOVA. The reliability coefficients of TT and SVAT were 0.972 and 0.953 respectively. The qualitative data, collected via interviews, teaching observations, video recordings and students’ works, was thematically analysed. Findings – The experimental groups’ TT and the SVAT post-test mean scores for both the experimental groups were significantly higher than the control group’s TT and the SVAT post-test mean scores. The learning of Shape and Space using GeoGebra dynamic geometry software had enabled students to produce works with evidence of critical, creative and innovative elements in their solutions. The experimental groups’ students agreed that using the dynamic software something new to them and was indeed as an attractive way to learn mathematics because they had the opportunity to experience hands-on learning of mathematics using ICT. They voiced their dessire to also use the GeoGebra dynamic geometry software when learning other mathematics topics. Significance – The use of GeoGebra dynamic geometry software to support the notion of integration of technology in the teaching and learning of mathematics in schools has the potential to promote active students involvement in mathematics learning. The active learning could provide students with meaningful learning experiences and opportunities to produce quality, creative and innovative works. The dynamic software has the capacity to support students’ logical and systematic approaches in solving geometry problems and also triggers multiple ways of interactions and collaborations in the mathematics classrooms. The stimulation of students’ creative and innovative thinking provide evidence for the potential support of the dynamic software towards realizing 21st century learning within Mathematics Education.

BACKGROUND Hardly any previous studies have examined technology-based interventions among cardiac rehabilitees. The added value of technology and biopsychosocial factors in weight management should be studied more in cardiac rehabilitation. OBJECTIVE This mixed-method study aimed to examine what biopsychosocial factors predict waist circumference (WC) reduction, and what cardiac rehabilitees talk about weight management during 12-month cardiac rehabilitation. Another aim was to develop a biopsychosocial model based on the study results. METHODS 59 rehabilitees (mean age 60; SD 6; 77% male) were randomly assigned in pairs into the experimental group (n=29) or the reference group (n=30). Biopsychosocial outcomes were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months with a six-minute walk test (6MWT), the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, body mass, body mass index, WC, age, and sex. Rehabilitees’ experiences were investigated using focus group interviews. Both groups received conventional cardiac rehabilitation. In addition, the experimental group used technology. Multiple linear regression was used to predict WC change in 0-6 months and 0-12 months. The qualitative data was analyzed with thematic analysis. Integrative analysis was used to create a research-based model. RESULTS Group allocation predicted WC reduction (P=.007), with the experimental group showing a greater reduction (b=2.5 cm) than the reference group in the 0-6 month analysis. A significant interaction between the reference group and 6MWT was observed (P=.04) meaning that improvement in 6MWT was associated with WC reduction. Baseline WC was marginally associated with a greater reduction in WC (P=.05). None of the independent variables predicted WC reduction in 0-12-month analyses. Three themes arose from the interviews with the experimental group: meaningful factors related to weight management, goal-oriented approach to weight loss, and monitoring body composition. Two themes emerged from the reference group: motivation for change, and unstable weight management. According to the integrative analysis, belonging to the experimental group was important. The research-based model highlighted that the added value of remote technology on WC reduction was largest at the beginning of rehabilitation (0-6 months). The rehabilitees’ talk in the experimental group was goal-oriented and they talked the achieved changes. In the reference group, the talk remained on motivational talk, and their body composition changes were unstable. CONCLUSIONS The integrative model emphasizes the differences between the experimental and reference groups in weight management. The use of added remote technology seemed to explain the WC reduction. The rehabilitees reflected on behavioral changes in weight management. In the reference group, improved 6MWT distance was associated with decreased WC, but they talked about motivation for weight management and unstable changes in body composition. In future, results should be verified by larger research groups and individual interviews, which can be combined with personal quantitative data. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN61225589; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN61225589

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a play-based program on reducing the effects of student’s abuse and to improving their self-esteem. To achieve this goal, a sample was selected and composed of 60 male and female abused students. They were divided into two groups: control group and experimental group which both consisted of 30 students. The experimental group was divided into two groups: the first consisted of 15 male students, while the second consisted of 15 female students. The measure of exposure to abuse and the self-assessment scale were applied as an anterior and posterior test of both experimental and control groups. The experimental group was only exposed to training through the training program.
 After completing the data collection, the means and standard deviations of the performance of the experimental and control groups were calculated on the study scales. The multivariate variance analysis was also conducted to identify the impact of the training program on gender. The results of this study showed statistically significant differences at the mean level (α ≤ 0.05) between the performance mean of experimental and control groups. These differences were in favor of the experimental group that improved their level of self-esteem and decreased the level of exposure to abuse. The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of significance (α ≤ 0.05) between the female and male performance means.

This mixed-method quasi-experiment research was aimed at enhancing Biology students’ understanding of concepts and retention of knowledge of photosynthesis in plants through the application of the multimodal instructional technique (MIT) in Nifa Senior High School. It also investigated students’ views and opinions about MIT. A stratified random sampling strategy was used in the selection of forty second-year Biology students as respondents. The sample size comprised 23 boys and 17 girls. Respondents were grouped into experimental and control groups of 20 students each. The study lasted for five weeks. The control group’s participants were asked to review the lessons by using a question-and-answer approach and writing up activities in their textbooks as assignments. For the experimental group, MIT, instructional games, educational videos and practical activities were used to facilitate and review their lessons. A multimodal instrument for data collection (MIDCO) which consisted of the Photosynthesis Achievement Test (PAT), a Retention of Knowledge Test (RKT), an open-ended interview and observation checklist were used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed using independent samples t-test while qualitative data was analysed thematically using descriptive statistics. Results of the analyses indicated a significant difference in both the PAT and RKT with the experimental group achieving (PAT; x ̅ = 64.52, SD = 9.30, RKT; x ̅ = 39.92, SD = 5.77) and the control group (PAT; (x ) ̅ = 52.36, SD = 13.95, RKT; x ̅ = 34.80, SD = 7.35). The research found no significant difference in PAT ascribed to gender, namely (PAT; x ̅ = 65.2, SD = 9.95) for the boys and (PAT; x ̅ = 61.3, SD = 10.31) for the girls. Results suggested that MIT was effective in promoting students’ understanding of concepts and was an effective device in enhancing the retention of knowledge. The learners found MIT to be an effective strategy for reinforcing learning and as a tool for motivation.

This study reports on the investigation of the effect of mobile assisted learning environment on academic achievement, acceptance of mobile learning tools and cognitive load of EFL students. This study used a mixed methods approach which involves the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to identify the effect of mobile learning in a foreign language learning environment. Quantitative data were collected from 63 foreign language learners via an academic achievement test, cognitive load scale and mobile learning tools acceptance scale, before and after a six-week intervention period. Following the intervention, eight students from the experimental group answered open-ended questions about their experience during group interviews. Results showed a significant difference in academic achievement and mobile learning tools acceptance level of students in favor of the experimental group. The study also showed that although the students learning a foreign language in mobile assisted learning environment were not cognitively overloaded, students in the control group were. The themes emerged from the qualitative data point to the positive and negative sides of the mobile-assisted learning environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many educational changes, especially the shift towards the use of technology in all subjects. This longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the effect of learning environments—blended and online, alone and with graded-reading websites/applications—on the reading comprehension of Saudi undergraduates majoring in English during COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, 130 participants were selected (control: male [N = 21], female [N = 54]; or experimental: male [N = 21], female [N = 34]). Although the four gender-based groups were exposed to the same learning environments—first blended and later online, which were either partially or dependent on technology—only the male and female experimental groups were required to use graded-reading websites/applications for approximately 10 months during the COVID-19 school lockdowns. All participants took four tests (pretest, posttest 1, posttest 2, and delayed posttest). Using the SPSS program, the results indicated that the learning environments alone had a limited positive effect on the control groups’ reading comprehension in the short term, which either decreased significantly (male control group) or remained unchanged (female control group) in the long term. There were significant differences between all control groups and experimental groups across all tests (p < 0.000). However, the experimental male group outperformed their male counterpart across all posttests except for the second posttest: experimental male group mean was 15.43 whereas it was 16.19 for the control male group. However, combining learning environments and graded-reading websites/applications yielded gradual positive effects on the reading comprehension of the experimental groups in the short term, which continued into the long term for the male experimental group. The experimental groups outperformed the control groups on at least two out of three posttests. The study concluded that the effect of technology on the reading comprehension of Saudi male and female undergraduates is bounded by the type of specialized technology (i.e., reading websites/applications) and the applied learning environments (i.e., blended and online). Additionally, the study indicated that there is a need to investigate other important factors related to technology used in Saudi institutes, as well as its effects on students’ learning processes in ongoing changes in the education sector in Saudi Arabia.

The body is undoubtedly the first language of communication in human history. Body language, which dates back to the first human, was the first language with which humans communicated with each other. Human being is a social being; just as it needs nutrition, shelter, security, knowledge, respect and love, it also needs communication. Therefore, speaking skill has become one of the language skills that individuals use most in daily life throughout their lives. Drama method is a method that can be used to help people get to know themselves and their environment, improve their relationships, gain different perspectives, and increase social harmony. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of body language-centered drama activities on the development of students' speaking skills in secondary school Turkish teaching. The participants of the study consist of 55 7th grade students studying in a secondary school in Battalgazi district of Malatya province. In this research, mixed research method sequential explanatory design was used. A semi-experimental design was used in the quantitative part of the research, and the quantitative data of the research was collected using the Speaking Skills Attitude Scale (2017), and the phenomenology design was used in the qualitative part, and the data were collected with student diaries, semi-structured interview form and observation form. In the quantitative part of the research, a control and an experimental group were created. Experimental and control groups were determined according to the students' pre-test results from the attitude scale. According to the results of the Mann Whitney U test, the groups were found to be equivalent. In the experimental group, body language-centered drama prepared in the context of Turkish language teaching program achievements was taught, and in the control group, lessons were taught taking into account the current Turkish course curriculum. At the end of the research, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 9 experimental group students, a diary was collected after each drama application, and observations were made by taking pre- and post-videos of the students' body language-centered speaking skills. A reliability and validity study was conducted on the applied quantitative and qualitative data collection tools. Analysis of the post-tests in the experimental and control groups was made with the Mann Whitney U test. Qualitative data were analyzed with codes and categories created by content analysis and descriptive analysis. When the results of the research were examined, it was concluded that the Turkish lesson taught with body language-centered drama activities was more effective than the normal Turkish lesson in terms of giving speaking skill gains. Similarly, it was observed that the interest and love of the students participating in the study regarding speaking skills increased after the body language-centered drama activities, and their anxiety decreased. In addition, it was observed that students began to use body language easily both in the classroom and in daily life. Looking at the results of the qualitative data of the research, it was seen that the students started to use body language in and outside the classroom, their speaking skills improved and even their existing speech disorders improved. The study results were examined in the literature and compared from both similar and different perspectives. Looking at the results, researchers can make variations in their studies in order to obtain rich data; for drama practices, they should conduct pilot exercises before implementing the created drama workshops and pay attention to the physical characteristics of the place where the drama will be implemented; recommendations were made for institutions to give teacher candidates the opportunity to practice in drama classes in faculties of education and to provide drama training to teachers in in-service courses opened within the Ministry of National Education.